Manics Start Season In Premier Fashion

Bracknell Manics 1st Team
took the big step into the Premiership after 4 years hard grafting through
the leagues, with two championships titles already under their belt, now
the belief in the camp is that a third could be achievable...

But it would be up to the Manics to keep that dream alive, and missing
recent starter Paul Milner, Manics knew they'd have to dig deep to pull
out a win. Likely lad, Gareth Jones started up front, alongside Barry
O'Connell.

For the first 15 minutes both sides battled hard, and both sides were
having half chances on goal. Mark Gates was the first to have a real chance
when a Glenn Evans Corner was headed over the bar.

On the 21st minute, Aaron Goddard gave away a free kick outside of the
box. The ball was lifted high into the area from the Manor & Winkfield,
and luckily for the Manics Joel Curran was on the post to head away with
a goal line clearance.

Manor came close minutes later when they broke down the left wing, cutting
inside and delivering a thundering shot towards James Robinson's goal.
But Robinson pulled off a spectacular save to keep the Manics level.

I t would be the Manics who would take the lead. After soaking up the
pressure, Manics countered well, with O'Connell bringing the ball out
of the Manics half. O'Connell's low cross in was cleared only as far as
Ryan Warman who re-delivered the ball back into the box, hard and low
across the face of the Manor goal. Last season's final scorer Aaron
Goddard would turn out to be this season's premiership opening
scorer, making sweet contact with the ball and slotting it past the keeper
to make it 1-0.

In the second half, Manics had further chances as they began to get into
their game. O'Connell was first to hit the bar from a tight angled shot
on goal and then 20 minutes later, Elliott Fairs missed a 1-on-1 - the
keeper making a great save.

With 20 minutes remaining, Manics made their first substitution. Barry
O'Connell would be replaced by last game's man of the match Gavin Baker
in a straight swap up front.

3 minutes later, Baker provided the second goal to flick the ball onto
Gareth Jones who ran on to score his first
competitive goal of the season for the club.

Manics came close again just 7 minutes later when Baker broke through
on goal and from 25 yards striked with his right foot only to see it ricochet
off the bar and out for a goal kick.

The Manics held their ground for the remainder of the game to keep a clean
sheet and earn their first valuable 3 points in their first league match.

Scorers: Goddard (1) Jones (1).
Assists: Warman (1) Jones (1).

The Manics Man
of the Match went to James Robinson and the Referee's player of the match
went to Mark Gates